Chandauli: In an unprecedented move, the villagers here in Uttar Pradesh held hostage two officials - MLA of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and local councillor - over frequent power cuts in the area.

"BSP MLA from Mughalsarai, Babban Singh Chauhan had gone to the ward no 3 listen to their problems and talk to villagers, when the villagers held him hostage. They (villagers) were protesting against the problems of electricity and water supply in their area," Superintendent of police (SP), Muniraj said.

Local police rushed to the spot and held talks with villagers after which they freed Chauhan, the SP added.

Meanwhile the MLA admitted the sufferings of the villagers. "There is a severe problem of electricity and water logging," ANI quoted him as saying.

While describing the plight of the villagers a local resident said, "We are facing severe hardship in daily life. We don't have the facility of electricity, road and water. We were told that a tender of 80lakhs has been passed but we can't see any work happening. We will fight till the end."

Last month, Noida, the industrial hub of the state also suffered a major power shortage, leaving people in a helpless condition in the sweltering heat. The power supply came to an abrupt standstill after a tower, carrying transmission lines, collapsed due to a major storm.